An atheist parent contacted the American Humanist Association after her nine-year-old daughter told her that she felt uncomfortable by the religious iconography and messages in her teacher’s classroom and the school administration refused to take action. The teacher’s displays consist of a sign urging students to “PRAY often,” a sign encouraging students to have “FAITH,” and at least two Christian crosses.

“The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause unequivocally prohibits public school teachers from using the classroom to proselytize Christianity and encourage young children to pray,” said Monica Miller, Senior Counsel at the American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center. “The teacher’s religious signs and crosses promote religion and coerce young students to adopt religious views in violation of the Establishment Clause.”

The American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center demands that the Quanah ISD and Reagan Elementary stop their endorsement of Christianity through the use of religious symbology and messaging in the classroom. The legal center’s letter can be viewed here.

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Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, DC, the American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming philosophy of humanism, which—without beliefs in any gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.

Special thanks to the Louis J. Appignani Foundation for their support of the Appignani Humanist Legal Center.